Issue 23 2020 June 10 NG times

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SHOP LOCAL

The Voice of North Grenville

Vol 8, NO 23

June 10 , 2020

First, we extend our sincere thanks to our clients for their patience during the temporary closure of our store in compliance with Public Health guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now on to the good news: on June 8, 2020, Laurier Optical Kemptville is RE-OPENING! Due to strict public health and safety requirements, the experience may look and feel somewhat different. Here’s what to expect: • Clients are welcome By Appointment Only, and are required to complete a COVID-19 pre-screening questionnaire (available at laurieropticalkemptville.com) • Use hand sanitizer before admittance.

• Clients are expected to present wearing a face mask. If you do not have one, one will be provided for you.

• The staff will wear face masks for your protection.

• Protective barriers are in place in key areas of the store.

Sincerely,Christopher Lane Owner, Laurier Optical Kemptville • Eyewear is sanitized following each appointment.

Eye Exam Clinic Kemptville Mall

613.258.2700

A Call to Creatives for Canada Day! WE'RE OPEN SAFELY AND READY TO HELP.

613.258.7173 SauveHeating.ca

NO LIMITS

by Tara McRae Creativity seems to be at an all-time high these “Covid days”. For some of us, with more time on our hands and in our minds, the dreams have a chance to come to life.

This emerging creativity is a perfect pairing with what I have witnessed to be a newfound intentionality in supporting community.

This is how the idea of a collective, physically distanced, art project came

about.

This project looks to bring together multiple perspectives; interwoven and intertwined, though at a distance, as we all are in these trying times.

As part of the Canada Day festivities, Maggie Boyer, Pat Jessop and I invite you, members of this community, young and old, to contribute to this living art piece. We will create a mural, which is designed to represent a

patchwork quilt. You are asked to paint a piece of the patchwork with a representation of something that you are grateful for during “Covid times”.

We would like this piece to live on, and to find a permanent location for it, outside, upon its completion.

Covid safety measures will be put in place. All supplies will be provided.

Display will be set up at our B&H local Gro-

cers. If you would like to share your perspective and contribute to this art piece, please contact Tara McRae at 613-2773334, or email tara_mcrae@hotmail.com.

You will be assigned a time slot the week leading up to Canada Day to come and paint your piece of the mural.

Let’s make this a community project to remember!

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The Voice of North Grenville

We’re Making a Difference to Keep Each Other Safe from COVID-19 As businesses begin to reopen, we all need to continue our efforts to protect each other.

2m

Practice physical distancing.

Stay two metres away from others

Wear a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge

Wash hands thoroughly and often

Inside or out, stay safe. Save lives.

Learn more at ontario.ca/coronavirus Paid for by the Government of Ontario

June 10, 2020

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North Grenville honours George Floyd in peaceful protest Want an advisor who cares?

Tel: 613-258-4877 Cell: 613-816-9697 2017 & 2018 GOLD 2017 & 2018 Best Investment PLATINUM Company 2018 CIVIC AWARD WINNER Financial Planner AWARD AWARD for Exemplary Work in the Community

PROFESSIONAL EYE CARE FOR ALL AGES

by Hilary Thomson A small crowd lined Prescott Street at 3:00pm on Friday in peaceful protest of systemic racism and to honour the life of George Floyd, who died at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis.

Participants stood in silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time that police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck, leading to his death.

The protest in Kemptville coincided with the march

planned in Ottawa that drew thousands of people into the city on Friday afternoon.

Mikyla Lenard and her children, Quinn (10) and Gibson (6), came to downtown Kemptville from their home in South Mountain to participate in the protest. Mikyla says they were planning on going to Ottawa; however, when they found out about the one being organized in Kemptville they decided to stick closer to home. “We feel that everyone is equal and should have equal rights,” Mikyla said. “No one should have the

“The tragic events in the U.S. and Canada are a call to action for leaders at all levels of government,” she said.

“Racism is a reality in every community, and it is important to acknowledge that.”

Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan said she appreciated the peaceful nature of the protest in Kemptville. She feels that staying silent for the entire time Floyd was on the ground sends a meaningful message. “It shows the type of community that we are.”

fear of punishment because of the colour of their skin.”

Recent North Grenville District High School graduate Charlotte Lundy said she was also happy to have something to attend in her hometown. “I wanted to be able to do something, because I haven’t been able to go to any of the other protests,” she says. “I want to show that I care.”

Mayor Nancy Peckford said she was encouraged to see the North Grenville community step up so quickly and organize a protest to show their support for the cause.

Picture perfect

Kemptville & District Home Support and the NG Times are working together on a new project to profile the seniors of our community.Porch Pictures’ are photos, taken from outdoors, of seniors in self-isolation due to the risk of COVID-19. As this new normal continues in the coming months, there will be less physical interactions with the seniors in our communities.

It is vital that seniors remain a visible part of the community.

Maggie Boyer will be going out to take the photos and running a series of them in the Times.

We encourage as many seniors as possible to contact us to have their photos taken for this initiative.

Sometimes, all of us can feel invisible, forgotten and isolated, especially these days.

But this project will remind us all that we are still here!

Whatever the restrictions on movement, we can still see and remember each other in pictures.

Please contact Maggie at production@ngtimes.ca or 613-215-0735, or Susan Smith at KDHSI Seniors’ Community Services 613258-3203, or susan.smith@ kdhsi.com We look forward to hearing from you!

Claire Davidson, Bayfield Manor

Mavis Piper, Bayfield Manor June 10, 2020

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Dr. C.L. Eamon Optometrist

WE ARE NOW ABLE TO RESUME EYE CARE. Due to Covid, there will be even more procedures to protect our patient, our staff and families. We appreciate that you've been waiting for us to return to work and we've been waiting to see you. We are very grateful for the trust that you place in us for your eye care.

We Put the CARE in Eye Care 212 Van Buren St.

613.258.7438

Helen Trimble, Bayfield Manor www.ngtimes.ca

Editorial

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Blowin in the wind

by David Shanahan You would think that a worldwide pandemic would wake people up to the important things in life: like, we’re all in this together. But, no.

Right in the middle of this crisis we’re reminded that there are those who still see others as different, as less than, as inferior and unworthy of respect. Discrimination, in all its abhorrent forms, has burst back into the open, with the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The protests which have followed that murder, aside from the hijacking of some by rioters, looters and agitators looking to spark worse violence, have been peaceful, but angry, as they should be.

All over the world, protests have taken place in solidarity with the American

protestors, and the condemnation of the murder has been remarkably widespread and unanimous, Except, of course, for the racists minority (oh, I hope they are the minority!) who see nothing wrong with murdering unarmed people, as long they’re of a different colour or ethnicity. Let me, in passing, say that as a Christian, the actions, words and behaviour of Donald Trump are contemptible, hypocritical, vulgar and deeply offensive. He does not reflect anything that Jesus would accept. Hatred in all its forms is directly opposed to Christianity, no matter how much it has been degraded by some claiming to act in his name.

When Justin Trudeau was asked to comment on Trump, he was eloquently silent for 21 seconds before talking about racism in this country.

But everything he said was

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, If wearing a mask demonstrates that you care about others, then people in Kemptville could be doing a better job to show that they care.

We are still in the midst of a pandemic, the virus has not changed. You could be asymptomatic (contagious without symptoms). Only a change in social behavior has helped to lower the curve.

Looking at the lineups of people waiting to enter the box stores in our town, it is discouraging to see that only one or two people in a crowd of 15 to 20 people are masked.

A place of particular concern is the main post office. Instructions on how to safely use the service are clearly stated on a stand outside - there can only be two people at a time in the post office and two in the mailroom. As recently as today, people were piling

and suspicion came to the forefront and had to be faced head-on. That may happen here too, as time goes by. But let’s not wait for that to happen before we start educating our children, and ourselves; before we begin thinking and talking about why people hold such views and what can be done to change our minds.

Because, let’s be honest, we all have some of those feelings, some of the time. None of us are perfect in that regard.

Racism has many faces, some of them quite innocent on the surface. Recently, in England, a family wanted to have the gravestone of their dead mother inscribed in the Irish language. It simply read, in translation: “Always in our hearts”. The Anglican diocesan tribunal rejected their request, saying that an Irish inscription might arouse political “passions”. The church

a direct criticism of Trump and his minions. It was good to hear because Canada is far from immune to the same troubles as the States. The Guardian newspaper in Britain published a story last week about the unarmed individuals here that were killed by police. An article in this issue describes the treatment of indigenous children by the government. No, we are very far from perfect in this regard.

It may be that few incidents of racist behaviour have been reported in North Grenville, but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. Racist, misogynist, bigotted and other despicable attitudes often go unreported for various reasons. I remember that the Irish always saw themselves as victims of racism over centuries, until Ireland became more multicultural. Then the racist attitudes, the ignorance

A reply to criticism of Zoning Orders

in to pick up their mail with seemingly no recognition that a deadly virus continues to take lives. One minute I was one of two people getting my mail and, in the next few minutes, three additional people entered the mailroom and refused to wait their turn outside.

Surely Kemptville can do better than this. Now that masks are recommended, how about wearing one when you shop to protect others. Think of the sacrifice that front line workers are making every day. Is wearing a mask too much to ask?

Name withheld on request

ties with the support of local governments to create jobs and housing that local residents need.

So what types of developments has our government used an MZO to support?

They include such important projects as: A 224 long-term care bed facility.

A hospital expansion.

An innovation park creating up to 700 full-time jobs.

A residential rental building with 450 units.

As Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, I will not apologize for using the authority I have to fast-track projects that will create employment, provide state-ofthe-art care for our seniors or expand hospital capacity. We are responding to local needs by speeding up the planning process so that municipalities can be ready, once the COVID-19 emergency declaration ends.

It’s also important for me to stress that we have been clear as a government that we will not touch the Greenbelt.

Any MZO request for development that falls within the Greenbelt will not be considered, let alone approved.

The use of MZOs supported by locally elected governments is just one example of how our government is cutting red tape and working with our municipal partners to help build Ontario together.

Mr. Creasey also raised the issue of hydro rate increases, but unfortunately failed to mention that our

by Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes Re: Ontario Government, letter to the editor, May 27, 2020 While I appreciate letter writer Colin Creasey’s concern for the democratic process, it’s important that I set the record straight on his statements regarding the use of Ministerial Zoning Orders or MZOs. Our government, like those before us, has utilized MZOs since taking office in order to cut through the red tape that is slowing down critical projects that local communities need – and support. It’s certainly not a case of Queen’s Park knows best as these projects are brought forward by local communi-

Excellence in service dedicated to your success 24 Prescott St., Kemptville WGP@wgpcas.ca

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TIMES

Editor Staff Reporter Accounting David Shanahan cfo@ngtimes.ca Hilary Thomson david@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735 hilary@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735 June 10, 2020

itself has condemned that decision, but the attitude behind it exists.

In Vallejo, a city 30 miles north-east of San Francisco, a young 22-year old was shot dead by police a few days ago, even though he was on his knees and had his hands in the air. The police officer who shot him was sitting in his unmarked car, didn’t even get out, just shot the man five times because, he claimed, he thought he had a gun in his pocket. Sean Monterosso was Latino.

How many other examples can be given? Dozens?

Hundreds? The answer, my friend....

Throughout this pandemic and its restrictive regulations, the word has been: “we’re all in this together”. We are encouraged to be kind, to help each other out, to be respect-

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government has left in place the Ontario Electricity Rebate. This could leave the impression residential customers are paying more for electricity, which is not true.

As part of our government’s efforts to clean up the hydro mess left behind by the previous government, effective November 1, 2019 hydro bills were changed in order to reflect the true cost of power.

Under the previous government, the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) was hidden in the per kWh rate.

We believe that Ontarians deserve to know the true cost of power and the new, more transparent bills accomplish this. Rather than hiding the rebate, our government has made it a separate line item on your bill. But let me be clear: the same rebate is there so you do not pay more for the power you use.

I’m also pleased that effective June 1, 2020, our government introduced a fixed, flat “COVID-19 Recovery Rate” to provide continued electricity bill stability for time-of-use customers.

That means time-of-use electricity rates will be billed at 12.8 cents-per-kWh, 24 hours a day, seven days a

ful and caring. And, for the most part, people have been all of those things. So why can’t we carry that over into other areas of life, other times and places? I am a white male, but I remember times when I was looked on with real hatred because I was Irish in the wrong place. I remember living in Belfast in the 1970's when your neighbourhood labelled you as one or other kind of person: republican or unionist, catholic or protestant. I knew it had nothing to do with religion, it was all politics and allegiances.

It seems we are geniuses at finding reasons to hate one another, to discriminate and disrespect one another.

We’ve been faced with many challenges to our humanity, to our very existence, over these past months. Now, we’re faced with challenges to our humanity, to our willingness to treat one another with respect and honour and integrity, regardless of race, colour, orientation, religious affiliation, or any other thing that might make us seem different. I think it’s long past time that we, as human beings, grew up. We need to find a way to make sure that this, too, shall pass. We shall overcome. week. This flat rate will be in place until October 31, 2020, reflecting the continued increase in time spent at home

by Ontarians during the day.

It’s another way our government is supporting Ontarians who have worked so hard and made sacrifices to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Dear Editor, As an 8-year resident of Kemptville, I have been very disappointed in the number of people shopping in our great town who are NOT wearing masks. It would be wonderful to think that this virus is going to go away sometime soon, but we all know that, sadly, this is not going to happen. Please people, I wear a mask to protect you, the least you could do is wear a mask to protect me! And BTW, skip the gloves, not necessary, just wash your hands.

Rachel Leroux

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Municipality proclaims “Kemptville District Hospital Month”

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is delighted to announce that the Municipality of North Grenville has proclaimed June, 2020 as “Kemptville District Hospital Month” in honour of its 60th Anniversary.

The month of June was chosen for this tribute as KDH’s doors officially opened on June 29, 1960.

On that day, members of the KDH Auxiliary provided guided tours to more than 2,000 curious visitors. People from all over the region lined up to see what had been described in the Ottawa Citizen as “one of the best designed, most modern hospitals in Canada.”

The community was already very much invested in KDH, not only in terms of the financial donations that had made the construction possible, but also as a result of years of planning and advocacy by a determined group of local volunteers. “This district needs a hospital!” had been their rallying cry.

Over the decades, the hospital and the community have changed and grown side by side, through good times and bad. When the Great Ice Storm of 1998 hit Eastern Ontario, KDH, with its diesel generators working at full tilt for weeks, provided food, shelter, and a respite from the cold and freezing tem-

peratures. Now, as the community grapples with the ongoing realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, KDH remains a haven of safety and security.

For the North Grenville community, having a hospital close to home is as important now as it’s ever been.

KDH continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the community. A major expansion in 2011, again financially supported by the community, this time through the KDH Foundation’s Lean On Me campaign, resulted in a new Emergency Room, state of the art Operating Rooms and Diagnostic Imaging suite.

This was followed shortly after by the inception of KDH’s award-winning hip and knee replacement surgical program. Then in 2017, KDH opened its new clinic wing on the upper level of the hospital, where 4,000 square feet of under-utilized space was modernized to effectively double KDH’s array of outpatient services.

KDH’s further evolution now sees the hospital looking beyond its walls more and more. “I’m proud to say that KDH has become a leader in building and facilitating partnerships among health service organizations in the region with the aim of improving the coordi-

urday to the anniversary of Opening Day. Although all of the special events have had to be postponed due to the pandemic, “We are not going to let the anniversary of our Opening Day go by uncelebrated!” CEO Vassallo stated. The hospital has switched gears and will be holding a Virtual Open House on June 27, 2020 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. The program for the Open House will include greetings, videos, and a short history of KDH. The entire community is invited to attend – a link to the online event will be shared widely closer to the date.

YOU CAN NOW REPORT MORE CRIMES ONLINE

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE OFFICIAL PLAN FOR THE UNITED COUNTIES OF LEEDS AND GRENVILLE

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) encourages citizens to report even more crime online. From January 1 to May 20, 2020, there has been a 99% increase in online reports, compared to the same period last year. As Online Reporting usage has grown, the OPP has expanded the system to include more options for citizens.

Previously, reports made online were limited to crimes under $5000. Now crimes regardless of value; where there is no evidence or suspects, are eligible for Online Reporting: Theft; Mischief / Damage to Property; Mischief / Damage to Vehicle; Theft from Vehicle; Lost / Missing Property; Stolen License Plates and/or Validation Tags; and Driving Complaints (after the occurrence) To see the list of less serious incidences for Online Reporting and to access the system, a user can go to opp. ca/reporting, choose their location and start the report.

TAKE NOTICE that the Planning Advisory Committee of the Corporation of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., to consider a proposed Amendment to the Official Plan for the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville in accordance with Sections 17 and 21 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended.

THIS WILL BE A VIRTUAL MEETING. The public is encouraged to submit any written comments prior to the meeting. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Counties website at www.leedsgrenville.com and a telephone conference line will be available to the public during the meeting. For details, please contact the County Clerk as noted below. If emergency measures are lifted prior to the meeting, there may be the ability for the public to attend the meeting in the Counties Council Chambers in person, according to Provincial/Local Regulations.

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This is a Counties initiated Amendment to the Official Plan for the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. The main purpose of this Amendment is to correct errors and add missing information to text and schedules identified over the last few years through use of the Plan. The Amendment will add missing Provincially Significant Wetlands and update pits and quarries based on provincial databases.

Further, the Amendment will: • add updated information on new population and employment forecasts, accepted

by Counties Council in 2018, and extend the planning horizon to 2036; • clarify the interpretation section regarding the appendices and Plan amendments and updates; • refine changed municipal boundaries between the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley/ City of Brockville and the Village of Westport/Township of Rideau Lakes; • delete references to the Green Energy Act; • remove a pit that has surrendered its licence and add two site-specific former waste disposal sites, all in the Township of Rideau Lakes; and • revise the boundary of the existing area of potential karst located in the Township of Rideau Lakes.

SUBJECT LANDS: Includes all lands in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.

Accordingly, no key map is provided.

NOTIFICATION: If you wish to be notified of the decision of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville on the proposed Official Plan Amendment, you must make a written request to the County Clerk at the address below.

SUBMISSIONS: Any person may participate in the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation, either in support or in opposition, to the proposed Amendment through the methods described above. Please contact the County Clerk for information about making a verbal submission by teleconference during the public meeting. Please provide any written comments to the County Clerk at the address below prior to Friday, June 19, 2020, for inclusion in the Committee agenda.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For more information about this matter or about appeal rights, contact Cherie Mills, Manager of Planning Services, by telephone at (613) 3423840, ext. 2419 or by email at cherie.mills@uclg.on.ca. Additional information, including a copy of the proposed Amendment, is available by contacting the above Planning staff or on the Counties website at www.leedsgrenville.com.

This will take the user to a secure link where they will be given precise instructions on how to fill out the report.

The OPP would like thank the public for using Online Reporting. The increased use of Online Reporting helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 by limiting direct contact between police and members of the public, while allowing

front line officers to focus efforts on urgent calls and crime prevention strategies within our communities.

View the Online Reporting video at: youtu.be/jop9IN2ePOY. To report a crime online and for more information: opp.ca/reporting.

UPDATE UPDATE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

The Municipality has created a dedicated webpage for updates related to COVID-19 (www.northgrenville. ca/coronavirus)

COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 pm **NOTE: Council and Planning Public Meetings are being conducted electronically and will be live streamed and archived on the Municipal website. Visit http://www.northgrenville.ca and click on Agendas, Minutes & Video in the Govern tab.

SWIMMING POOL ENCLOSURES

Swimming pool enclosures in North Grenville are regulated by By-Law 32-98, as amended. This includes all above-ground and in-ground pools. Copies of this by-law are available from the Building Department or the Municipal website. For further information please contact the Building Department at kpulfer@ northgrenville.on.ca or 613-258-9569 Ext. 130.

NORTH GRENVILLE TRANSFER STATION

699 Crozier Rd., Oxford Mills HOURS OF OPERATION Tuesday 9 am – 4 pm Friday 9 am – 4 pm Saturday 9 am – 4 pm * North Grenville Residents ONLY- Please have ID ready * Maximum 5 vehicles in the site at a time * Please use your debit card & TAP if possible

The Municipality of North Grenville

285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: 613-258-9569 x204 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

DATED: at the City of Brockville, this 4th day of June 2020.

Lesley Todd, County Clerk United Counties of Leeds and Grenville 25 Central Avenue West, Suite 100 Brockville, ON K6V 4N6 Phone: 613-342-3840, ext. 2454 Email: clerk@uclg.on.ca June 10, 2020

nation and integration of care,” said CEO Frank J. Vassallo. “Current extramural efforts include working with multiple partners to help develop an Ontario Health Team, incorporating a muchneeded initiative to increase access for children and youth to mental health and addictions services,” he added.

Long before the coronavirus arrived in North America, KDH had planned a series of events throughout 2020 to celebrate its first 60 years.

The highlight of the year was to be a Strawberry Social Open House on the hospital grounds on June 27, 2020, the closest Sat-

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

The Voice of Merrickville/Wolford

Business community preparing for visitors this summer

by Hilary Thomson The business community in Merrickville-Wolford is preparing to welcome their usual influx of visitors this summer, while taking into consideration COVID-19 regulations. President of the Merrickville and District Chamber of Commerce, Yves Grandmaitre, says overall the businesses in the Village have been coping pretty well with the restrictions placed on them due to COVID-19. Before the mandatory shut down, many of the businesses had signed up for the Chamber’s Digital Main Street program, which helped them bring their business online. They were able to use their new online platforms to generate some revenue, while they were unable to welcome patrons into their stores over the past few months.

Yves believes COVID-19 has created a bit of renewal in the Village. Many of the business owners who were already thinking about closing or moving their stores before COVID-19 hit have now either closed their doors, or opened their locations in a different municipality.

“COVID-19 has been a line in the sand for some of

our older business owners to retire,” Yves says. “It is unfortunate, but inevitable.”

This has left room for a few new businesses to open in the empty storefronts, including a new restaurant, bridal store, accessory store, and venue. “Merrickville has always been a popular spot for retail,” Yves says. “We will see six new stores in town.”

The biggest challenge facing the business community right now is how to welcome visitors to the Village while keeping residents, tourists, and business owners safe.

Yves says all the stores have taken the necessary steps to allow for physical distancing, with some expanding outside to provide more space. Business owners have also put in place proper sanitization practices, barriers at the cash, and PPE. Another issue that has been a hot topic in the Village for a while is access to washrooms for visitors. Unfortunately, all the municipal washrooms are remaining closed, as the Village doesn’t have the resources to keep up with the cleaning protocol needed to fulfill COVID-19 regulations. That being said, there is a washroom operated by Parks Canada at the

“We can get there”-

Mayor Struthers proud of community response to COVID-19

lockmaster’s house near the canal. Restaurants like Stella Luna and The Village Bean, which are offering takeout, are also able to offer washrooms, as long as they are cleaned appropriately. The Chamber of Commerce will be keeping an eye on the situation and will consider renting a portable washroom for visitors if needed.

Yves is very pleased with the way the community has come together to promote, manage and address challenges, and come up with solutions that will allow the Village to move forward towards a new normal. Many business owners and residents have used their free time during the COVID-19 shut down to spruce up their buildings and properties. “The Village is looking really nice,” he says.

The Chamber is committed to working with business owners and other community stakeholders to ensure Merrickville-Wolford can welcome new and returning visitors to the Village this summer safely. “It is business as usual, within the provincial guidelines,” he says.

“It is inevitable that people will come, we just have to be ready.”

by Hilary Thomson Mayor Doug Struthers is proud of how MerrickvilleWolford residents have come together to keep each other safe from COVID-19. He says that, right from the getgo, he saw residents and business owners taking the recommendations from health officials and upper levels of government seriously. He believes that it is through the hard work of the community that they have been able to keep Merrickville-Wolford free and clear of COVID-19.

“I can’t thank the people of Merrickville-Wolford enough,” he says.

As soon as the state of emergency was declared in Ontario, council decided to only hold meetings on an asneeded basis, and to enact the Village’s emergency control group to address COVID-19 related issues. Over the past few months, council has met a handful of times to reduce the budget in response to COVID-19, pass a resolution to reduce commercial water rates to the residential rate, and to suspend all penalties on water and sewer billing.

Mayor Struthers says the best thing that council did before the state of emergency was declared was to pass the bud-

Merrickville Public Library here to help

by Hilary Thomson The Merrickville Public Library is happy to be running curbside pick up again after a long hiatus due to COVID-19.

Librarian Mary-Kate Laphen says they were doing curbside pick up at the beginning of the pandemic, but stopped in order to ensure the safety of staff and patrons. However, as soon as they got the green light from the province on May 19, they have been accepting requests for books over the phone, email, and through their library catalogue. “We had people calling and asking for curbside pick up,” Mary-Kate says. “People were missing it for sure.”

Mary-Kate said they are not only taking requests for June 10, 2020

specific books but are also willing to curate titles for people who are not sure exactly what they want. Patrons can call or email the library and ask for a specific genre, author, or topic, and library staff are happy to suggest options, or put together an order.

This is particularly helpful for parents who want a few new children’s books to keep them going while they have their kids at home. “They can tell us what their kids like, and we can pick some out,” Mary-Kate says. “It’s fun and we really enjoy it.”

Once the books have been ordered, patrons can arrange a time to pick them up in a completely contactless way by using the library’s porch as a pick-up point. So far, it has been working well and

the volume is not high enough that they have to worry about a line out the door. The parking lot that was closed due to the closure of the park is now open and patrons can drive up to the library to pick up or drop off books. Mary-Kate says they are not charging late fees for people that may have had books since the state of emergency was declared in Ontario in March. “We are being very flexible.” Mary-Kate and her other staff member, Linda, have been keeping busy ever since the library closed its doors to the public. They have been reorganizing the collection, and also producing multiple story times each week, which have been broadcasted over their Facebook page.

Most recently, Mary-Kate has been showcasing Mo Wil-

lem’s books, which include The pigeon that needs a bath.

“I read the last part from my bathtub,” Mary-Kate says.

“We’ve been having some fun with it.” The catalogue of story times will be on the library’s Facebook page until the end of June.

Library staff have also been busy ensuring that they are ready to welcome people back into the building once the province says it is safe to do so. This includes ensuring that patrons can adhere to social distancing regulations while in the building, installing a barrier at the check out desk and hand sanitizer throughout the library. “The library will be different, but even more wonderful when people can come back,” Mary-Kate says.

Like all libraries, Mary-

6

get, because it has allowed staff to continue serving the community. “It’s business as usual, just a little different way to do business,” he says.

At this point, Mayor Struthers says they are listening and paying attention to what upper tiers of government and health authorities announce next. Things have already started opening up and many of the businesses which had to close their doors in March are allowed to invite customers back into their stores, as long as physical distancing and sanitation measures are put in place.

“There are very specific and clear guidelines for businesses,” Mayor Struthers says. “It’s encouraging that people know what they are doing.”

According to what he has been observing at the provin-

cial level, Mayor Struthers doesn’t think that the state of emergency in Ontario will be extended past June 30.

This means that council will go back to their regularly scheduled council meetings in July. The next special meeting has already been called for June 22.

Although he believes things are going well, Mayor Struthers acknowledges that this is a strange middle ground, where everyone is trying to adapt to the new normal and no one knows what the future will hold. He encourages residents, business owners and visitors to the municipality to continue to follow the guidelines as more businesses open and people get out and about.

“Slow and steady wins the race,” he says. “We can get there.”

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Kate is not sure when the library will be able to open again and what they will be able to offer in terms of programming over the summer.

She is hoping that they might be able to hold outdoor story times to allow for physical distancing that might be more difficult in the library building. That being said, she is

holding off on announcing any summer programming until the state of emergency is lifted by the province. In the meantime though, Mary-Kate encourages anyone who needs their services to get in touch.

“There are lots of people helping everyone get through this, and we are here too.”

General Practice Corporate / Commercial Family Law/ Criminal law Estates Real Estate Wills & Powers of Attorney tom@tmblaw.ca 613.258.1277 222 Prescott St., Kemptville

THOMAS M. BYRNE Barrister and Solicitor

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All meals include Bacon Parm Roasted Potatoes, Gardinier Vegetables, Mexican Street Corn, Lemon Poppy Seed Slaw, Greenhouse Greens & Dessert Memphis BBQ Ribs ½ rack per person - Fully Cooked - G/F Slow roasted meaty side ribs, Homemade smoky BBQ sauce Hoisin & Bourbon Glazed Pork Loin - Fully Cooked With watermelon salsa Roasted Garlic Rubbed AAA Striploin Steaks 6oz BBQ Kit -G/F With chimichurri sauce Spatchcock Gremolata Chicken & Shrimp BBQ Kit -G/F Marinated Portobello Steaks with Tofu Ricotta (Vegan- D/F - G/F) Single orders available with suitable side dishes Call to pre order yours today:

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Orders can also be placed ahead by phone at 613-258-2782.

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Monday June 15 1- Lemon & herbs tuna steak, rice, grilled vegetables. 2- Stuffed bell peppers in tomato sauce, rice Tuesday June 16 1- Tuscan potatoes with pork loin steak wrapped in pancetta.

2- Ricotta and spinach stuffed shell, Cesar salad.

Wednesday June 17 1- Chicken and chorizo baked with sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

2- Sweet potato and lentils stew in curry spice, rice.

Thursday June 18 1- Honey & lime marinated shrimps, ricce, stir fry vegetables.

2- Feta, zucchini and potato gratin, beans & cilantro salad.

Friday June 19 1- Roast lamb legs la piperade, sautéed potatoes.

2- Goat cheese and piperade tart, Rice salad basquaise style.

Monday to Friday, the cost is $22.50 per person.

Children 12 and under $14.00. There is $5.00 fee per delivery. Payment can be done by cash, credit card, or e-transfer. We need one day advance notice in order to organize the meals and the delivery route. HST extra. Ordering for the week : 10% off Reservation by phone at

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The Voice of North Grenville

Canadian media campaign against Facebook

by David Shanahan Friends of Canadian Broadcasting will launch a provocative new national campaign that targets Facebook for profiting from content created by Canadian news outlets without permission or compensation.

The 'Wanted' campaign launched earlier this week, with posters being displayed in Toronto and other Canadian cities.

This has been a longstanding grievance on the

part of Canadian media outlets, as Facebook posts material to which they have no right, all the while taking advertising revenue away from those same Canadian media outlets.

“Without permission or compensation, Facebook profits by publishing content that does not belong to it. There is a word for that; it’s called theft. This campaign is about mobilizing public and political support to put a stop to this illegal behaviour,” says Friends’ Executive Director Daniel

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Bernhard.

The campaign emphasises the profits Facebook is making from this process, noting that “Facebook makes billions selling content created by Canadians, especially journalists. They don’t ask permission. They just take it. There’s a word for taking someone’s stuff without permission or payment: theft. And Canadian journalism is paying the price. Since 2009, Canadian media have shed almost 20,000 jobs. During that time, Facebook’s revenue grew almost 100-fold. But payouts to Canadian news outlets are still $0.”

While Facebook cashes in on the work of others, many Canadian media outlets, especially small, community newspapers, are being forced to close down.

The COVID-19 pandemic has simply exacerbated this problem, as advertising revenue in Canada has almost dried up during the crisis.

This has not affected the NG Times as much as other outlets, largely because of the tremendous support we have received from the com-

munities we serve.

To encourage the Canadian Government to act, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting have prepared an e-mail that supporters can sign digitally and send to Justin Trudeau.

The link is: https://friends. ca/campaigns/make-empay.

Other countries are acting. France and Australia are forcing Facebook to pay up.

But Canada is doing nothing, allowing Facebook to pocket billions on the backs of our journalists.

Another organisation, MediaSmarts, has launched a campaign to deal with misinformation which is being spread on social media platforms regarding COVID-19. They have developed a new campaign, Check First. Share After, to remind Canadians of the importance of checking info about COVID-19 before sharing it.

The main message of their campaign: help stop the spread of misinformation. We can truly show we care by being good digital citizens and taking a mo-

ment to pause and check if the info comes from a trusted expert source before sharing it.

This should be the way we approach all news outlets, not just on-line, and it has become increasingly important that we, as readers and citizens, ensure that what we are being told is accurate, most especially when it comes to health issues. And, equally important, make sure that you

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have verified information before you forward it. Even a publication as prestigious as The Lancet, one of the oldest and most respected medical journals, has had to retract an influential article it published about hydroxychloroquine. The article had resulted in clinical trials of the drug being terminated. It was later found to be based on inaccurate data. Not just now, but always, Check First. Share After

8

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The Voice of North Grenville

The North Grenville Photography Club Parent feedback on the Distance Learning Model

The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) surveyed UCDSB parents and guardians to get feedback on our current distance learning model. Results showed that the majority of parents said that learning assignments are appropriate and the workload for students is manageable; and that they are pleased with the communications they are receiving from both their school and the school board.

The survey was conducted via email to UCDSB families and shared on social media, accepting responses from May 14 to May 19. It garnered more than 3600 responses from across our district, which has given the UCDSB some valuable insight on what is working well within our system and how we can improve our distance learning model.

Here are some of the key findings: • More than half of the respondents agree that the work and activities are appropriately challenging (58.5%); • Twenty per cent (20%) of respondents would like less work to be assigned; • Parents would like more teacher instruction and interaction with students; • The level of flexibility within the distance learning model is favoured; • Microsoft teams and apps suggested by teachers were noted as “working well”; and • Parents would like more consistency in the platforms used for distance learning, with all information and classwork being in the same place.

“We are pleased with the number of responses and important feedback generated from this survey,” said UCDSB Chair John McAllister. “We can clearly see where we are doing well and the areas that need improvement.”

“This survey has given us some very important information from parents,” adds UCDSB Director of Education Stephen Sliwa. “We will take the feedback into consideration as we move forward with our distance learning model and improve it along the way.”

Sixty per cent (60%) of respondents had students in elementary school, 19% in secondary school and 19% in both elementary and secondary.

A student survey regarding the distance learning model has also recently been distributed to students in Grade 7 – 12, via email. The school board is very interested in the feedback that will be provided by our students as it will be valuable as we move into the new school year.

One of the club's weekly challenges was 'red'. Trevor Button submitted this portrait of Gertrude. She is the sole survivor of multiple predator attacks on a neighbours flock and now happily resides with Trevor's.

Community Drive-by Parade June 12

National Indigenous History Month

by Andrea Bolton, Deputy Clerk and Accessibility Coordinator, UCLG A Community Drive-by Parade is being organized to celebrate and support the long-term care residents at Maple View Lodge in Athens. The Parade is scheduled to begin Friday, June 12 at Centre ’76 in Athens at 1:50 p.m. and arrive at Maple View Lodge at 2:00 p.m. The event is being organized

by Mayor Herb Scott.

Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs, has issued the following statement on National Indigenous History Month: "National Indigenous History Month provides an opportunity for all Ontarians to celebrate Indigenous heritage, diversity and culture while acknowledging and reflecting on the achievements of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.

This month is an ideal time to learn more about the rich history of the Indigenous peoples who shaped our province and our country. Acknowledging our shared history builds understanding and helps preserve Indigenous culture, traditions and languages.

Although we cannot gather in person this year to mark this important occasion, there are many opportunities to participate in virtual events taking place throughout the month and I encourage everyone to take part."

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Upper Canada District Board of Trustees Meeting

Chair of the Board, John McAllister Tr u s t e e s w i t h t h e Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 for their regular Board of Trustees meeting. Trustees and senior staff joined the meeting by teleconference to ensure physical distancing, however full audio was broadcasted live. Trustees discussed several items: Chair's Comments on June 10, 2020

Current Events in the USA that Highlights Racism and Injustices: Chair of the Board, John McAllister, delivered opening remarks to speak to those in the Upper Canada District School Board and in the larger community about concerns of racism and injustice over this past weekend, in the United States. Chair McAllister shared how classroom learning prepares our students to thoughtfully and respectfully respond to the offensive presence of racism in our world. See the full statement here.

Update on Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario Operations: Trustee John Danaher updated the board on operations of Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO), the consortium that manages busing for the board. STEO has renewed its contract

pilot project, currently operating at Seaway District High School, North Dundas District High School, Gananoque Secondary School and Almonte District High School. The model allows students at different schools to participate in online courses during the same period of the day, while benefitting from real-time interaction with teachers through the digital course delivery platform known as Desire2Learn / D2L. Update on UCDSB Response to COVID-19:

with bus drivers for next school year. The contract awards drivers the two per cent pay increase recommended by an arbitrator. STEO staff have been working remotely since the pandemic began, and have been working to inform communities about bell times changes and how they will affect transportation services in September.

Report on District-WideTimetable and Synchronous eLearning: Effective September 2020, all 21 UCDSB secondary schools will have adopted a District-Wide Timetable model with a common five-period day, and 19 of those schools will also have aligned bell times. This structure will allow students access to a greater variety of courses and online resources. Staff reported on the positive reaction of students to the Synchronous eLearning

Schools have been planning new ways to safely celebrate the accomplishments of secondary school graduates and elementary students advancing to high school during this period of the pandemic. Schools will be communicating these plans to their families over the next week. Staff are also working with public health officials to develop a plan to allow parents and students access to schools to retrieve personal belongings from school lockers and classrooms. Proto-

cols for accessing school buildings will be tested by using smaller schools first to fine-tune the process, before expanding a plan for limited entry to larger schools. As well, the Board heard that about 200 custodial and maintenance staff have started back to daily shifts to conduct cleaning and maintenance work within our schools and inschool childcare centres.

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The North Grenville Times

Flag raising marks the start of Pride month

Académie Catholique Notre Dame celebrates first graduating class

by Hilary Thomson Académie Catholique Notre Dame is celebrating their first ever graduating class at the end of this school year. Principal Angela Certosini says this is a milestone for the small French school which opened on the Kemptville Campus in September, 2016. “It is a big accomplishment for us,” she says.

Students Sebastien Bergeron, Henry Bailey, and Sabrina Hardy will all be receiving their high school diploma at the end of June. Angela says they are very proud of these three students, who will not only be the school’s first graduates, but have also been accepted into post secondary institutions for next year. Sebastien and Sabrina will

be attending La Cité in Ottawa, while Henry will be headed to Acadia University in Nova Scotia.

All three students showed an immense amount of perseverance and dedication this year, especially when they were forced to complete their credits from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sebastien and Henry have also completed the High Skilled Major program in environment, which included certifications, workshops, and a co-op term. “What they’ve gone through has prepared them for what they are going to experience next year,” Angela says. “They are a small but powerful group.”

While the school board has postponed all graduation ceremonies until the fall, Académie Catholique Notre Dame will be holding a virtual bursary ceremony, where Sebastien and Henry will be receiving a small sum of money for completing the High Skilled Major program.

The ceremony will be live streamed on the school’s Facebook page on Thursday, June 18 at 11:00am.

613-258-7800 www.kvrl.ca

Mayor and members of Council raise flags at the Municipal Centre

munity in North Grenville, and particularly the success of last year’s first ever pride parade in Kemptville which attracted roughly 2,000 people. “My council colleagues and I are highly encouraged by the efforts of our community, our colleagues, and allies in shaping the diversity that is coming to define North Grenville,” she said.

Kemptville Pride President, Devon Warren, thanked council for their support in declaring the month of June Pride Month in North Grenville and for supporting the raising of the two symbolic flags at the Municipal Centre. The transgender pride flag was created by American trans woman Monica Helms in 1999. The light blue stripes are representative of a baby boy while the pink ones represent a baby girl. The stripe in the middle represents those transitioning or have a neutral or undefined gender. The six-colour rain-

by Hilary Thomson Pride Month was officially launched last week in North Grenville with the raising of the pride and transgender flags at the Municipal Centre. On Monday, June 1, a small group of people, including Mayor Nancy Peckford, members of council, Kemptville Pride President Devon Warren, and OPP Constable Annie Collins, gathered at the Municipal Centre for the flag raising.

“We’re so pleased to host the flag raising for Kemptville Pride, to raise both the pride and transgender flag here today,” Mayor Nancy Peckford said. “We can’t have a larger gathering, but the spirit and intent remains the same.”

Mayor Peckford reflected on the significant progress made in recognizing and celebrating the rights of the LGBTQ2+ com-

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bow version of the pride flag was created by Gilbert Baker in 1969 to express the joy, beauty and power of the LGBTQ2+ community.

“These flags will wave proudly for the entire month of June to show our love, support and unconditional acceptance for the LGBTQ2+ community,” Devon said.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kemptville Pride parade, community picnic and vendor fair have been postponed until the fall. Kemptville Pride Queen of Communications, Fiona McKenney, says they are hoping to be able to hold the event on the first weekend in October, as long as larger gatherings are greenlit by the province at that point. Regardless, the Kemptville Pride organizing committee has been hard at work creating virtual events to allow residents to show their pride throughout the month of June. “We want to let people know that there is still a place where they can feel seen and validated,” Fiona says.

“Not even a pandemic can dull the rainbow that lives in North Grenville,” Devon said at the flag raising.

Window decals, lawn signs, and t-shirts are now available through the Kemptville Pride website, with proceeds going towards Kemptville Pride efforts. They are also teaming up with local businesses including Rideau Roastery,

Mr. Mozzerella, and Local Markets which are putting together special rainbow themed products with a portion of sales also going towards the initiative. Fiona says money raised will not only help them host future Pride events, but also organize a year-round support hub for the LGBTQ2+ community. “Kemptville Pride is more than just a parade,” she says. “The more information we spread, the less hate we will see.”

Kemptville Pride is hosting a virtual “So You Think You Can Drag” event, where they will be accepting videos of community members putting on a drag show at home.

Kemptville Pride has created a YouTube channel where they will not only be showcasing the entries, but also posting tutorials on hair, makeup and anything else needed to put on a fun and flamboyant drag show.

Entries are due this week and will be judged by guest drag queens.

This year Kemptville Pride is also taking the time to educate and raise awareness about LGBTQ2+ history. They will be supplying worksheets for kids to learn more about the community, and hope to answer any questions they might have along the way.

Finally, June 8-14 is the “Decorate you House for Pride” contest. Families are encouraged to decorate their house for pride using materials they have at home and post a photo on social media with the hashtag #PrideHouse so they can pick a winner.

You can follow Kemptville Pride on social media to keep up with everything that is happening over the month of June and to learn more about the vibrant LGBTQ2+ community.

“Please choose to join me in celebrating our diverse, inclusive and loving community, not just today, not just the month of June, but every single day,” Devon said. “Let your rainbow and rural roots shine brightly North Grenville, today and always.”

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant

613-445-5200

Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

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Local Covid-19 update

by David Shanahan The stats for the past week seem a little confusing on the surface, but that is because six cases of the virus have been reclassified from late March and early April.

Although there are no separate statistics for individual municipalities, it does appear that three of these reclassified cases were in the UCLG East section, that is in North Grenville, Merrickville-Wolford, Augusta, and EdwardsburgCardinal, where the number of confirmed cases rose from 13 on May 28, to 17 on June 4. The good news is that 11 of these cases have recovered.

This section had reported the lowest number of confirmed cases, but that is no longer the case, but we remain one of the least affected sections

of the LGLDHU area.

Between May 28 and June 5, there were only three new confirmed cases in the Leeds Grenville Lanark District Health Unit [LGLDHU] region. As of June 5, there have been a total of 351 labconfirmed cases on Covid-19 in the region, of which 283, or 94% have recovered. 79 cases, or 22%, were in the community; 71 (93%) have recovered. There have been 84 confirmed cases among healthcare workers, of whom 80 (95%) have recovered.

Long-term care/retirement residences had a total of 188 confirmed cases, of which 129, or 91%, have recovered.

In total, there have been 50 deaths in the LGLDHU region. In the past week up to June 4, the median age of those who died remained at

The North Grenville Times

with confirmed cases, by June 4 this had been reduced to 2, one each in Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills.

There is still some confusion regarding the use of face coverings, as they are now called to distinguish them from medical face masks.

The LGLDHU advice is that “individuals wear a face covering where physical distancing is not possible, such as on public transit or in a small grocery store or pharmacy”.

Things to consider when making or obtaining a cloth face covering: • It is made of at least two layers of tightly woven material. You can test out the fabric by trying to blow out a candle with it on. If you can, then it is too thin. It can be cleaned

86, and 96% of deaths occurred in the 65+ age group.

It is a positive stat that the number of community deaths in the LGLDHU region remains at 3, showing no increase since April.

In spite of the apparent spike in confirmed cases, explained already, there is much good news in the statistics for the period. Test results have shown a decrease in the percentage found to be positive. In March/April, the positivity rate was 11% of 3,194 lab tests. This has decreased in May/June to just 2% of 2,722 lab tests.

Yet another positive statistic is that the number of long-term care/residential facilities reporting confirmed cases in the LGLDHU region has been reduced. On May 28, there were 5 facilities

The Voice of North Grenville

•

multiple times without losing its shape. Fits securely with ties or ear loops. Allows for easy breathing. Make sure it is not made of plastic or other non-breathable materials. Includes a pocket to accommodate a paper towel or disposable coffee filter for increased benefit. Has a different fabric on each side to easily identify which side faces your mouth and which side is out.

When worn properly, a cloth face covering can reduce the spread of your own infectious respiratory droplets. Wash your hands before putting it on and taking it off. Make sure it fits to cover your nose and mouth, without any gaps. Don’t touch

•

•

your face or face covering while wearing it. Use your own face covering and don’t share it with others. Clean surfaces that a dirty face covering touches. Wash your face covering when slightly wet or dirty.

Put it directly into the washing machine or a bag that can be emptied into the washing machine. Wash with other items using a hot cycle with laundry detergent and dry thoroughly.

Wash your hands afterwards.

Children under the age of two, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unable to remove it without assistance should not use face coverings.

Notice of Submission of Transportation Environmental Study Report Class Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Design, Highway 416 and County Road 43 Ramp Terminal Intersection Improvements, GWP 4129-18-00 STUDY OVERVIEW The Ministry of Transportation, Ontario (MTO) retained Dillon Consulting Limited (Dillon) to complete the Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for intersection improvements at the east and west ramp terminals of Highway 416 and County Road 43 located in the Municipality of North Grenville, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.

The purpose of the Class EA was to identify and evaluate a range of design alternatives to determine the most appropriate improvement plans at the east and west ramp terminals of Highway 416 and County Road 43 based on a variety of considerations including traffic operations and safety, engineering, natural environment, socio-economic environment and cost. The study concluded that the Technically and Environmentally Preferred Alternative includes the implementation of traffic signals at both ramp terminal intersections as well as other related improvements.

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Subject to Class EA approval, provincial priorities and funding, the next phase of the project (detail design) is anticipated to commence in mid-2020 with construction tentatively to follow. Based on the preliminary design, the majority of work is anticipated to occur within the existing, previously disturbed MTO right-of-way.

Temporary lane and ramp closures may be required and will be scheduled to avoid peak traffic volume where practical; however, will be confirmed during the subsequent detail design phase. Please visit the project website at www.Hwy416-CR43.ca for more information.

CONSULTATION AND COMMENTS The study was completed following the Class EA for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000) as a Group ‘B’ project. A Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) was prepared to document the decision-making process for this study and includes a summary of consultation completed. Due to the ongoing health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, the TESR is being made available for review electronically at www.Hwy416-CR43.ca from June 10, 2020 to July 10, 2020.

Interested persons are encouraged to review the TESR and provide comments to the Project Team members listed below by July 10, 2020. If, after consulting with MTO staff and their consultants, you have serious unresolved concerns, you have the right to request that the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (Ferguson Block, 11th Floor, 77 Wellesley Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2T5; Minister.mecp@ontario.ca) make a Part II Order (also referred to as a “bump-up”)

for this project. A copy of your request must also be sent to the Director of the Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch (135 St. Clair West, 1st Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1P5; enviropermissions@ontario.ca). Such requests must be addressed in writing using the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks’ standard Part II Order Request Form. The standard Part II Order Request Form is available on the Ontario Government Forms Repository website (http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/) and you can find it by searching “Part II Order” on the Repository’s main page. A Part II Order may lead to the need to complete an Individual EA. A copy of the Part II Order request should also be forwarded to MTO and Dillon at the addresses listed below.

If there are no outstanding concerns after July 10, 2020, the project will be considered to have met the requirements of the Class EA and may proceed to the subsequent design phase.

Sarah Grady, P.Eng. Consultant Project Manager Dillon Consulting Limited 130 Dufferin Avenue, Suite 1400 London, ON N6A 5R2 tel: 1-888-345-5668 ext. 1306 e-mail: Hwy416-CR43@dillon.ca

Ken Rogers, P.Eng. MTO Sr. Project Engineer Ministry of Transportation Eastern Region 1355 John Counter Boulevard Kingston, ON K7L 5A3 tel: 613-483-1467 or 1-800-267-0295, ext. 4701 e-mail: Ken.Rogers@ontario.ca

If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this project, please contact one of the Project Team members listed above.

Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca June 10, 2020

11

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The North Grenville Times

New Broadband Program looks to connect Leeds and Grenville

Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark is celebrating the announcement that Ontario is investing $150 million to address much needed broadband infrastructure across unserved and underserved regions of the province.

Steve said the investment is designed to connect more residents and businesses in rural areas of the province like Leeds and Grenville to reliable broadband and cellular

service. The Improving Connectivity in Ontario program, or ICON, has the potential to leverage up to $500 million in total partner funding.

“I have been working to address the concerns I have heard from many area residents and businesses about the challenges they face staying connected to the world because of poor internet and cellular service. These issues have become even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “I am

tivity in Ontario program is part of Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan, which includes $315-million to improve and expand cellular service and broadband in rural and remote communities across Ontario.

In the span of a year, Ontario has advanced initiatives to improve access to broadband and cellular service across eastern, western and northern Ontario. All of these initiatives are expected to generate more than $1 billion in investments over five years.

As many as 12 per cent of households in Ontario – mostly in rural, remote or northern areas – are underserved or unserved, according to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. In the past several months, Ontario has partnered with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) to leverage $213 million to improve access to cellular and mobile broadband in eastern Ontario.

proud our government is announcing this significant investment to bring the people of Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes one step closer to more reliable connectivity.”

Once the ICON program opens its initial application intake later this month, applicants – including telecom companies, municipal governments, Indigenous communities and non-profits – will be invited to submit innovative proposals to lend their investment, expertise and experience to improve connectivity in communities across Ontario. The province will fund a portion of each approved project.

“Now more than ever before, our government recognizes that the people of Ontario need to be connected to learn, work and run their businesses. This program is an important step toward bridging the digital divide,” said Infrastructure Minister Laurie Scott.

The Improving Connec-

KDH receives increase in funding

by David Shanahan Kemptville District Hospital is one of a number of local facilities that will be receiving additional annual funding from the Ontario government. Local MPP, Steve Clark, commented on the extra funds which, in total, amounts to almost $12.4 million overall. Of this, KDH will be getting an extra $323,500 in 2020-2021, an increase of 2%. Brockville General Hospital has been allocated $9.93 million, up 15.2%, but it is noted that part of this funding will support the transitional and operational cost for the hospital’s expansion. Perth & Smiths Falls Hospital will get $2.129 million, up 5%.

Steve Clark commented that “Our government has been clear that the health and well-being of Ontarians is our top priority. Today’s announcement is another step forward in helping to create a sustainable and connected health-care system that can meet the needs of our community. I’m so proud that our government is building on the historic investments we have made to improve patient care and support the amazing staff who deliver it in our local hospitals.”

The provincial government has announced an Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19, which will see Ontario invest $935 million more in hospitals this year, including $594 million to meet current and future demands for regular services.

Although the release of these funds states that they are “part of Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19, Steve Clark noted that COVID-19 related funding is not included in today’s announcement, as hospitals will track and report expenses related to COVID-19 separately.

The extra funding was, of course, welcomed by KDH. Robert Morais, Chair, Kemptville District Hospital Board of Directors, noted that: “Steve Clark understands the importance of working together at all levels and functions within the health system. His continuing support of our funding and other needs at Queen’s Park is a key to providing the best possible results for our patients and families.”

The role Steve Clark played in bringing this extra funding to the area was noted by Frank Vassallo, CEO, Kemptville District Hospital: “We are grateful for MPP Steve Clark’s boundless efforts in assisting KDH to gain this funding. His tireless work on our behalf goes a long way in articulating our needs at Queen’s Park.

The Voice of North Grenville

Health Unit reports high number of deaths from overdoses

Six people have died, likely from a fentanyl overdose, in the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark area in the past two months.

This is the same number of deaths as are usually seen over an entire year. During May, the hospitals have also seen an increase of people presenting to the emergency department with an overdose.

The Health Unit, along with community partners, suspect the increase in overdoses are a result of a toxic supply of substances, COVID-19 related stresses and a change in the availability of health and social services. The stress, uncertainty and anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to increased substance use amongst vulnerable populations.

Harm reduction supplies (single use equipment and naloxone) and further access to services and referrals will continue to be offered throughout Leeds, Grenville and Lanark during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit the Health Unit website for more information: https://healthunit.org/ health-information/drug-use-harm-reduction/ The risk of a drug overdose and a fatal reaction can be reduced by following safer use practices; • Carry a naloxone kit • Importance of calling 911 in the event of an overdose • Avoid mixing substances • Use a small test dose first • Do not use alone An overdose is a medical emergency. Anyone who suspects or witnesses an overdose should call 9-1-1. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection against simple drug possession charges for anyone who experiences, witnesses or responds to an overdose & calls 9-1-1.

People who use substance are encouraged to not use alone, and take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the community including; • Frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds • Limit the number of people who you use with • Maintain physical distancing of 2 meters • Clean and disinfect all surfaces where substances are being prepared • Avoid sharing and/or reusing of equipment

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The North Grenville Times

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Garden tools 5. Beige 9. Fathers 13. Ancient Peruvian 14. A hard kind of stone 16. Wicked 17. Notch 18. Not true 19. List of options 20. Synchronizes 22. Pillager 24. Units of resistance 26. Sound of contempt 27. Any unspecified person 30. Covetous 33. A parking lot party 35. Spouse-to-be 37. And so forth 38. Windows

41. Lyric poem 42. Stage 45. Sailor 48. Ski race 51. Joint of a finger 52. Normal 54. To endure (archaic) 55. Owns 59. Grave marker 62. Dwarf buffalo 63. French for "Storehouse" 65. Pinnacle 66. Breathing organ 67. An organ of the body 68. Blue-green 69. Being 70. Formally surrender 71. Sea eagle DOWN 1. Snake sound 2. Unique 3. Frugal

The Voice of North Grenville

FOOD CORNER

4. Small bag 5. F 6. Applaud 7. Streamlets 8. Unappreciated 9. Greek goddess of fertility 10. Anagram of "Rave" 11. Eat 12. Disparage 15. Adult male singing voice 21. Dirty air 23. Remnant 25. Break 27. Stair 28. Promises 29. Estimated time of arrival 31. Usher 32. Alpine call 34. N N N N 36. No more than 39. Startled cry 40. Found on most beaches 43. Wurst 44. If not 46. Pelts 47. Film material 49. European blackbird 50. A natural resin 53. Depart 55. Wan 56. Burden 57. Male offspring 58. Hurried 60. Low-fat 61. Spindle 64. Before, poetically

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville So,we appear to be into summer. We have enjoyed a couple of hot days, and also a few wintery ones, with a risk of frost to our flowerbeds. Let’s hope we are now ok for the duration.

Being outside might mean more time to enjoy al fresco dining. Our family has found that putting together a variety of finger foods, rather than preparing a large meal, is a great way to have more time to sit, chat, drink and eat. Today’s recipe only takes a few moments to prepare, but it’s a terrific addition, assuming you like fish or seafood. They are Smoked Salmon Rolls, and you can make any number of them by simply getting more of the ingredients.

Smoked Salmon Rolls

Ingredients: • 1 package of Smoked Salmon (preferably Nova, our great Canadian product) • 1 or 2 packages of plain cream cheese • 1 red onion, chopped very fine (optional) • Some dill • 1 package of tortilla shells Directions: • Open up the package of tortilla shells and spread out 4 or 5 on your counter • Spread each with a coating of cream cheese • Spread chopped onions over the cream cheese • Sprinkle a bit of dill on the onions and cream cheese • Lay over slices of Smoke Salmon to cover the cream cheese and onions • Roll them up and place them in the fridge till they are cool • Slice them into 2 inch rolls (the end pieces are for immediate consumption for those people hanging around the chef and just looking for this opportunity.)

Serve cold on a nice platter and enjoy! Goes well with a nice cold white wine or spritzer.

Best to all! As always, please keep in touch at pcormier@ranaprocess.com. the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

Easy

Sexual Harassment is not in your job description

Medium

by Anne-Marie Langan Has anyone in your workplace, a co-worker, supervisor, or customer, ever made you feel uncomfortable at work by a sexual comment, a look, an unwanted touch? If so, you are not alone. Sexual harassment at work is an extremely common experience and can be emotionally and financially devastating to those who experience it.

Sexual harassment, by definition, is unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature. It can be a look, a comment, a joke, a touch or criminal behaviours such as being stalked, flashed or mooned, having your clothing pulled down or off, unwanted kissing and

Hard

June 10, 2020

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groping or even rape.

Many victims of sexual harassment do not report it to management or police.

There are many different reasons for not reporting including fear of being labelled as oversensitive and not taken seriously by their co-workers and managers, or that there will be retribution from the harasser or the management leading to the victim losing her/ his job.

Any form of sexual harassment at work is against the law. Employers are required to ensure that your workplace is safe which includes being free from sexual harassment. Regardless who the perpetrator is, your employer must investigate all complaints of sexual

harassment brought to their attention and take effective action to prevent any further incidents. Sexual harassment should never be part of your job description.

If you are or have experienced sexual harassment there may be legal remedies available to you.

The Legal Clinic and other community legal clinics throughout Ontario can provide you with information and referrals at no cost to you. For more information please contact Anne-Marie Langan at 613-264-7153 or by email at langana@lao.on.ca.

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

COVID-19

Information for North Grenville Residents State of Emergency in North Grenville Still in Effect Reopening Ontario – A Gradual, Staged Approach

Local Business Support #LoveNG

We are in Stage 1 of reopening the province.

More businesses continue to re-open.

For an up-to-date list and to show your support visit: www.LoveNG.ca.

As local businesses and outdoor recreational amenities become more available to the public, remember physical distancing measures need to be adhered to at all times. Learn more about the Framework for reopening the Province at: www.ontario.ca/covid.

Waste Transfer Station The Waste Transfer Station is open to North Grenville residents Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. For your safety and the safety of others, take the time to always secure your load. During COVID-19 please note the following changes:

The North Grenville Municipal Office remains closed to the public.

Core operations continue and staff are working to provide services to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact us at 613-258-9569 or email general@northgrenville.on.ca

► The hazardous waste drop off is temporarily closed. ► Please follow the social distance protocol of 2 metres (6 feet). This may require limiting the number of vehicles allowed in.

Municipal Updates (as of June 5, 2020):

► Please use your debit card and TAP if possible.

► Check out our calendar of online events at www.northgrenville.ca

If you have questions or concerns related to COVID-19:

► Public Meetings for planning applications are currently being held online.

For details on how to participate visit: www.northgrenville.ca

Please contact the Health Unit at 1-800-660-5853 or online at www.healthunit.org.

► For the most up-to-date guidelines for the use of North Grenville Recreational Amenities visit www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus

Thank you for doing your part to help stop the spread of COVID-19: 2m (6’)

.daol ruoy eruceS Stay home.

Do not gather.

Wash your hands often.

Maintain 2m distance.

Wear a mask if 2m distance is difficult.

The Municipality’s priority is the health and safety of our residents.

For up-to-date information visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus.

SECURE YOUR LOAD

For your safety and the safety of others. It’s the law.

June 10, 2020

14

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

Fundamentals of Journalism

by Victor Lachance Should newspaper owners or editors be free to write articles about God or their religious beliefs in their newspaper? I say no. Here’s why: I believe freedom of the press and journalism are founded on key principles that when adhered to make the press a very valuable component of our society. Full disclosure: the North Grenville Times owner/editor David Shanahan and I have exchanged interesting emails on this topic.

I personally think the Times is an asset to our community, and David and Maggie should be commended for it. They have created a newspaper that provides a voice for the people of North Grenville, and a place where readers can freely exchange their knowledge, views and opinions.

And that is a good thing.

So what are these key journalistic principles, the ones that underpin our freedom of the press? It’s things like independence, impartiality, objectivity, fairness,

accuracy, and balance. In my view the Times adheres to all these principles. However, if and when an owner or editor of any newspaper uses their paper to promote their personal spiritual beliefs, I think we compromise the principles of objectivity, impartiality and even fairness in light of other beliefs.

Now some might look at the Times and say it’s not a national newspaper, so what’s the big deal? Well, it’s about applying the same standards throughout the media. Newspapers are in the business of journalism, and journalistic integrity applies whether the paper is a small or big one, or whether an article in the paper is a small or big one. Take for example firefighting. We expect firefighters to respond to burning buildings whether they are big or small. Or air travel. We require planes to be mechanically safe whether big or small. Because it’s not about the size of the house, or the type of plane or the size of a newspaper’s circulation. It’s

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT

about applying the standards consistently.

Let’s go back to the plane example: from an airlines’ point of view it would be highly inappropriate for a pilot to do a mid-flight speech about his or her spiritual beliefs, or to start reading from the Bible or the Quran or the Buddhist Sutras. The airline would restrict the pilot from doing so. This is not a breach of our freedom of expression. Pilots have many other places to communicate their beliefs, but once they step into the cockpit, the plane is not one of them. I believe that once someone takes on the role of a newspaper owner or editor, they have many other places to communicate their religious beliefs, but the newspaper is not one of them.

Well then, can an Editor not express an opinion in his or her own paper? They absolutely can if it is presented as an opinion and it is stated as such. Editors do this all the time, and it does not breach journalistic principles. But

an ongoing series of articles by the Editor is not the same thing.

So the question was: should newspaper owners or editors be free to write articles about their God or their religious beliefs in their newspaper? I say no. In my view all newspaper owners/ editors occupy a unique and privileged position that means not advancing their personal beliefs, other than through opinion editorials. They have a responsibility to promote and protect the principles that underpin journalistic integrity.

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A reply to Fundamentals of Journalism

by David Shanahan Victor Lachance and I have agreed to discuss this topic in the paper after corresponding with each other over a number of months.

We hope that it proves to be of interest to readers generally. If you have a comment, please let me know at editor@ngtimes.ca.

Victor asks: “Should newspaper owners or editors be free to write articles about God or their religious beliefs in their newspaper?”

He thinks not. I obviously disagree. It seems unfair that anyone is free to write about whatever they find important - except the owner and editor of the paper. Victor calls for independence for the paper: but denies me the right to speak on an issue. He states that the Times is: “a place where readers can freely exchange their knowledge, views and opinions. And that is a good thing”. For everyone, it seems, except me. I cannot freely express my “knowledge, views and opinions”.

Why should that be?

Would he have the same attitude if the editor wrote about hockey, for example?

If I were “the sportsguy”, who reports on the 73's in the Times (I am not, by the way), would that be objectionable because I am supporting one team over another, or giving June 10, 2020

my opinion on the game?

Victor seems to only object because the subject in question is religion, specifically, Christianity. He compares my role to that of an airline pilot or firefighter.

These are really irrelevant comparisons: those professions are not in the business of publishing ideas and stories and information about matters of interest to the community. I am. And, according to Victor, we at the Times are adhering to standards of “independence, impartiality, objectivity, fairness, accuracy, and balance”, except for that one subject.

But, he says that I am using the paper to “promote personal spiritual beliefs”, which, he says “compromise the principles of objectivity, impartiality and even fairness in light of other beliefs”. If I am being fair, accurate and balanced overall, it seems that it is the subject that meets with his objections. Why should that be?

Why is religion to be treated differently than politics, sport, climate change, or any other topic? There is a basic (I almost wrote “fundamental”) distinction being made here by Victor which I think is important to note.

Victor says that he is an agnostic and an atheist, which is perfectly acceptable. But that means he ei-

The Voice of North Grenville

ther believes there is no God, or that he is unconvinced about it. He believes there is no evidence for God’s existence. I strongly disagree, of course, which is partly why I write the articles. In this world right now, especially, religion is being used to promote negative attitudes and violence. People are using religious symbols and words with religious connotations to justify attitudes and actions that are totally opposed to Christian values and teaching.

I believe it is really important, for society as a whole, to be able to recognise when this is happening and not to be taken in by false teaching and leading.

Therefore, clarifying what Christianity is and on what it is based, becomes a worthwhile and valid undertaking.

In exactly the same way, I write articles on history.

Victor does not object to them, even though I am the editor of the Times, possibly because he recognises that I am an experienced and qualified historian who knows the importance of footnotes and sources, and of keeping to what can be known of the facts.

That, I hold, is the same background I use in the Christian articles: 47 years of research, experience, questioning and study. Are

these valid qualifications for writing Canadian /history, but not for writing about Christianity? If I make statements that do not hold up, then deal with the evidence and the facts stated, not with prejudice against Christianity and assumptions made in advance.

Victor ends by saying: “I believe that once someone takes on the role of a newspaper owner or editor, they have many other places to communicate their religious beliefs, but the newspaper is not one of them”. Then where? Victor says I can write the articles if they are presented as “an opinion and it is stated as such”.

That implies that I can only suggest that what I write may be true, or not. That’s not the criterion for historical articles. Anyway, I do not think these things are true that I wrote about: after 47 years of evaluation and honest thought, I know they are.

Colleen Beveridge and Kyle McCormick

June 13, 2020

Small Business Enterprise Centre launches Summer Company program

by Hilary Thomson On June 3, the Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre officially launched the 20th year of the Summer Company program. The launch, which was held over Zoom this year, introduced six young entrepreneurs in Leeds Grenville who will get the experience of being their own boss this summer. The Summer Company program is funded by the Government of Ontario and provides hands-on business training and mentoring, as well as up to $3,000 to help the youth start up and run their own business over the summer.

Participants will receive half the award in early summer to help with start up costs, with the other half in the fall upon the successful completion of the Summer Company program and proof of them returning to school. Participants also have the opportunity to meet with a local business and mentoring group for support and advice on operating their summer business.

Two of this year’s participants are from North Grenville.

Jacob Kirkham, from Lumber2Lathe, will be creating a collection of wooden gifts, including duck calls, bowls, rings, and coasters. Items will be made from maple, black walnut, and other types of wood using a lathe and other tools. Jacob’s products will be available on Facebook under Lumber2Lathe.

You can also get in touch with him at lumber2lathe@gmail. com or 514-347-0316.

Kai Rabuka has created Rabuka Yard Works, a small landscaping and yard maintenance company that provides residential or commercial lawn maintenance in North Grenville, Merrickville, Manotick, and North Gower areas. You can find Kai on Facebook under Rabuka Yard Works Co., or email him at rabukayardworks@gmail.com.

For a full list of this year’s aspiring entrepreneurs, visit the Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre website.

A birthday bash to celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary is planned for August 20.

the north grenville

TIMES Support Your Local Lions Club JOIN TODAY! 15

Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

Spanish Residential School: the good one

by David Shanahan The Times is publishing a series of articles on Indigenous History as part of Indigenous History Month.

Many of us have heard the terrible stories that have come out of the Indian Residential School system, but few have any idea of the daily life experienced by children in these schools, even the best of them.

The Residential School which was located just outside the town of Spanish, on the north shore of Lake Huron was run by the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, and was the first such school to offer High School classes to indigenous boys.

Some of the graduates of the school became teachers, doctors, writers and artists.

It had a very high reputation academically, and there has been very little evidence of the kind of abuse found in too many other such institutions.

But the challenge faced by the boys at Spanish were significant. Funding for the school was provided by the Canadian Government through the Department of Indian Affairs, and it was never, at any time, sufficient for the needs of the school.

Every cent was accounted for, every blanket had to be

begged from the Department, and this required the students to spend at least half of every school day either growing their own food, making their own clothes, or tending to the hens and gardens.

Financial support from the Department in 1934-35, to pick an example, amounted to 42¢ per boy, per day, while costs ran to 52¢. The Jesuits set up a bakery, using their own funds, to try and reduce the cost of buying bread from a local bakery. After trial and error, the bread produced was better than the bought bread, but no savings were made, in spite of the expenditure on the bakery. The extent to which the boys worked outside of their regular schoolwork is shown in the data on how much food was raised by them simply to feed themselves.

In fiscal 1937-38, more than $3,900 worth of food was produced, a large dollar figure for the time. In 1943-44, the school produced 6,086 quarts of milk, 2,044 pounds of pork, 4,456 pounds of beef, and 260 bags of potatoes, all of which was consumed within the school. That same year, the Red Cross visited the school on an inspection trip and found nutritional deficiencies in the food, owing to lack of funds and lack of facilities.

would have been considered worth the expenditure, and what the Department would consider the “very exceptional circumstances” that would allow them to send a dead boy’s body home to his mother, having taken him away from her free of charge to begin with.

Isaac was taken to hospital at Espinola on August 10, and returned to Spanish on August 15. He died a few days later and was buried at Spanish.

His grave, if marked at all, has a plain white uninscribed cross. The Department paid out $21 for the hospital visit and funeral.

A visit to that graveyard is depressing and sad, with so many little white crosses.

How many others like Isaac never returned home? And this was possibly the best residential school in Canada.

The experiences of children in so many others was traumatic, terrifying, and all to often fatal. Those who did get home again, often after years away, found they were no longer part of their community, or even of their family. Speaking English, they had forgotten their own language. They were strangers in their own homes.

Remember, that all this work was being done by boys of 6-16 years of age during the hours when other children in non-indigenous schools were learning their lessons.

The meanness of the Department officials could be, and usually was, unbelievably callous. Just one example will do. On August 20, 1938, the Department was notified that Isaac Thompson was dying of tubercular meningitis and was only expected to live a few days. His mother had asked for his body to be sent home to Cornwall for burial, as she was not allowed to go to him before he died. The Department replied that her request had received “sympathetic consideration”, but went on to note that: “I have to point out, however, that it is not the practice of the Department to send bodies of Indians by rail excepting under very exceptional circumstances. Bodies so shipped have to be properly prepared by the undertakers for transhipment under the laws of the province, and the expense of a long journey, such as this would be, would entail an expenditure which the Department does not feel warranted in authorizing”.

One wonders whether anyone other than Indians

June 10, 2020

and elections will take place in Zones 1 (Essex, Kent), 8 (Arnprior, Lanark, Ottawa, Renfrew), 11 (Grenville, Frontenac, Dundas, Leeds), 12 (Hastings, Lennox & Addington, Northumberland, Prince Edward) and 15 (Northern Ontario). Nominations opened on June 1 and will be accepted until June 25.

All nominees must be active OFA members who reside in the zone.

As part of the recruitment and nomination process, we are frequently asked – what does it mean to be a director on the OFA board? The role of a director offers the opportunity to speak up, engage and influence meaningful change at the provincial level. Directors advocate on behalf of Ontario farm businesses, connect with grassroots members and industry partners on key issues and priorities impacting the agri-food sector, and influence policy development and strategic planning for the organization. This active role works in collaboration with energetic and enthusiastic board members and staff to

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Door is open for next wave of farm leaders with OFA zone elections

by Rejean Pommainville, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Leadership development and director recruitment are critical to succession planning for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). As a grassroots, farmer-led organization, we aim to develop leaders within our local county and regional federations to recruit and encourage them to pursue a role at the provincial level. OFA’s Proud to Lead committee focuses heavily on developing the next wave of leaders through networking, workshops, events and community activities.

Every year, OFA aims to recruit new leaders and interested candidates during the period of open nominations for the position of Zone Director in designated zones across the province. With a rolling governance structure for director elections, fives zones are up for election annually during the month of June. The position is for a three-year term on the Board of Directors.

This year, nominations

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ensure the farming and food sector continues to thrive across the province.

Through ongoing advocacy work and conversations with government policymakers and industry partners, the board is committed to enhancing the agri-food industry and the business of farming for all Ontario farmers. It offers the opportunity to engage Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) by participating in lobby day events at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill. Directors bring key messages and priorities to the attention of elected officials and policy advisors to ensure they understand the current issues facing the agri-food sector.

It also allows for growing unique connections and relationships with representatives at all levels of government and with the grassroots members who are at the heart of our organization and our farm communities.

It’s a role that requires attendance at nine board meetings throughout the year, including a board tour in

16

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the summer and the Annual General Meeting in November. Directors attend various other meetings, committees and consultations during the year at the federal, provincial, municipal and local county federation levels. On average, a board member can expect to spend approximately 35 days per year on OFA business. In terms of compensation for providing your services to the provincial board, all directors receive per diems, expenses and mileage pertaining to OFA work and obligations.

Joining our organization as a director is not only an exciting opportunity to work alongside knowledgeable, experienced and motivated board and staff members, but it’s also the chance to represent your local farming community and positively impact the livelihoods of our 38,000 farm family members. It is a commitment that has the potential to benefit you and the agri-food industry.

For more information about the nomination and election process, please visit ofa.on.ca.

613.258.6607

ReStore Kemptville is open and giving

The Kemptville ReStore opened their doors on June 2, after being closed since March 17 due to Covid-19 restrictions. The staff and volunteers have been busy preparing the store to ensure that precautions are in place to protect the staff, volunteers and our customers.

Please note that during this time the store hours for shopping have changed, and will be Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm. All drop off donations are accepted by appointment only Monday to Saturday from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm .

On April 4, the Kemptville ReStore donated 25 boxes of 3M bio suits to be used at the Brockville Memorial Centre, where they have set up the COVID-19 test centre. Pictured in the photo is Sherri Fournier Hudson, Executive Director - Upper Canada Family Health Team receiving the donation. www.ngtimes.ca